A 33-year old man, Kenneth Essien has been arrested by the police from Ilembe Alausa, Ajangbadi, Lagos for raping a 10-year old girl (name withheld).

Kenneth was alleged to have raped the victim at their residence, 78, Adaloko Road, Afromedia, Okokomaiko, Lagos.

He was alleged to have called the little girl into his room and forcibly removed her pant and had carnal knowledge of her.

He reportedly warned the girl not to tell her parents about it or she will die. But the girl could not bear the pains and she opened up to her mother while bathing.

The mother raised an alarm and reported the incident to the police. The accused was arrested and charged before Ojo Magistrate’s Court for rape.

The charge reads: “That you, Kenneth Essien, at about 10 a.m. on the same date and address did unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim, an offence contrary to Section 218 of the Criminal Code, Cap.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Akhanamoya granted him bail with conditions. The matter has been adjourned till a later date.

Supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) this morning trooped out in their hundreds to protest the removal of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba.

The placard-carrying youths marched through major streets of Benin City, the Edo State capital, warning the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole not to tamper with the democratic structure in the state.

The PDP youths, chanting war songs, later marched to the Edo State House of Assembly complex  but they were not allowed entry into the Assembly complex. Armed policemen guarded the gates of the assembly but the protesters registered their displeasure over the impeachment of the Assembly Speaker.

Similarly, youths in support of the Action Congress (AC) took their turn to protest the rowdy session in the Edo House of Assembly yesterday that led to the sack of the former Speaker and emergence of Barrister Peter Aliu as the new Speaker.

The AC youths expressed reservation over the fracas in the House of Assembly, especially the beating and harassment of members on the floor of the House.

According to the Edo AC youth supporters, it is wrong to carry arms to the floor of the House of Assembly, stressing that the International Television (ITV), Benin City, recorded the imbroglio that occurred on the floor of the House.

They added that the footage portrayed the lawmakers as barbaric.

The AC youths, who later addressed a press conference, warned that Edo people voted for democracy and good governance and not vandalism and violence.

Government’s reaction to the violence is still being expected as at the time of going to press.

When P.M.NEWS contacted the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abdul Oroh, on the protests, he said he was at a meeting.

Prominent Nigerians have slammed Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and the six-man delegation of ministers sent to Saudi Arabia.

They described Maduekwe’s statement that the team was not going to Saudi to ascertain President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health but to thank the Saudi King as an insult on Nigerians.

Reacting to Maduekwe’s statement, law professor, Ise Sagay said: “I have never been so offended for an obscene comment from Maduekwe.  Power and government have gone into his head and he started behaving like a little child. How can six ministers go and thank the Saudi King for what Nigeria is paying for in millions of dollars? Acting President Jonathan can just put up a call to the Saudi monarch.  The financial implication of the trip is too much.”

Activist and Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo viewed the comment by Maduekwe as absurd. “It is very insulting to Nigerians to be told that you were going to thank the Saudi king for taking care of the president whom you have no access to.

“How can six ministers with their aides go to thank somebody for doing what he is paid for? It is letting us down as a nation.”

National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere Renewal Group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin reacted thus: “If they are going for a jamboree and they have given us a notice, when they come back, they must be able to account for every kobo they spent on the trip.”

Describing it as absurd and a shame, Odumakin lamented that the first lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua had taken Nigeria back to the medieval age where important issues were determined by marabouts or divination.

He said: “Reports from Saudi indicated that marabouts told Turai that the day a Nigerian sets eyes on President Umaru Yar’Adua, that day he will die. Based on that she has prevented everybody from seeing him.”

Odumakin said if the ministers returned without seeing Yar’Adua it means Turai was implementing the advice of the marabouts to the letter, adding “the implication is that Turai and the ruling cabal had taken Nigeria back to the medieval age when marabouts and esoterics determine important matters.”

On the next line of action, Odumakin aligned with the Save Nigeria Group (SNG)’s call on the National Assembly to invoke section 144 of the constitution and impeach Yar’Adua.

“It is this trip by the ministers we have been waiting for. If they come back and give us stories of thanking the King of Saudi, we shall call Nigerians out to reject their plan to create power vacuum. Jonathan should be made president and a new vice president should emerge.”

The first civilian governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said: “The only thing we are waiting for is for the National Assembly to impeach Yar’Adua for gross misconduct. But if they cannot do it, there should be an interim government. Right now, there is no government in Nigeria. There is power vacuum. Nigerians should take steps to maintain their sovereignty because there can’t be a vacuum.”

President, Campaign for Democracy, (DC) Dr. (Mrs. Joe Oke-Odumakin says they don’t know why they are ministers, adding that the trip was a waste of money, which they have no business embarking upon in the first place.

Describing the trip as diversionary, the CD leader said it cannot contribute to move the nation forward.

“At a period we have 42 million unemployed Nigerians, the trip is diversionary. Getting Nigerians jobs is more crucial. We have to stop wasting public fund. The National Assembly should do something, impeach whoever they want to impeach,” this was the reaction of rights activist and the immediate past convener of the United Action for Democracy (UAD), Comrade Abiodun Aremu.

The leader, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran described Maduekwe’s outburst as “an expression of insolence of the highest order. What does it take to send a letter to the Saudi monarch?  The conduct of Saudi Arabia has heated up the polity. Why do we have to thank the King?

“They should go there and demand to see the president. What has the Saudi King done that they are going there to thank him?  Has he nurtured the President to good health? We don’t have any reason to go for that jamboree.”

The embattled Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye was removed from office this morning.

The state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, announced the sack this morning at an emergency state executive council meeting held at the Governor’s office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the removal of the council boss was part of the recommendation of the Justice Kayode Somolu (retd) panel of enquiry set up by Governor Daniel to look into the causes of 6 December, 2009 mayhem in Ijebu-Ife where many lives and properties were lost.

The former Police Area Commander in Ijebu Division, ACP Omolodun and others died in the fracas.

A source from Oke Mosan this morning told our correspondent that the committee had submitted its findings and recommendation since 29 December, 2009 but the governor had been studying the report and had been making several contacts on how to perfect its implementation.

A seven-man caretaker committee has been set up to run the affairs of Ijebu East Local Government Area in the next 10 months when another election will hold.

The committee comprises Mr. Michael Agbolade, chairman; Mr. Raphael Olaosebikan, Prince Abiodun Odusanya, Omooba Biodun Badejo, Mr. Adetayo Ogunsanya, Dr. Tunde Onamusi and Otunba Mrs. Mojisola Jaiyesimi.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the embattled Oladunjoye has been at loggerheads with the state governor since 6 December, 2009 when crisis erupted in Ijebu-Ife.

There have been accusations and counter accusations and series of court actions on the matter that finally culminated in the sack of Oladunjoye today.

Meanwhile, Oladunjoye has described his removal as act of illegality and contempt of court.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS on phone this morning, Oladunjoye, who said he was in Abuja for the case he filed against Daniel when the news of his sack was broken to him, said he would fight legally against his sack.

“The dissolution of my executive council by Governor Gbenga Daniel is an act of illegality and contempt of court. On 23 December, 2009, Justice Umar Garba of Federal High Court 5, Abuja had ordered that the status quo should remain.

“He was to give ruling on the matter today, that is why I’m in Abuja, but unfortunately, he adjourned the ruling on the matter till 9 March, 2010.

“Perhaps Governor Daniel thought that the ruling will favour him, that was why he announced the dissolution of the Ijebu-East executive council and replaced me with a man who contested the primary election against me and lost,” Oladunjoye stated.

He told P.M.NEWS that he had already commenced the process of contempt of court against Governor Daniel.

Jonathan made the remark when he received in audience the immediate past President of Ghana, Mr John Kuffour, at the State House, Abuja.

Jonathan commended Kuffour for setting the pace in ‘electoral revolution’ in Africa by presiding over a free and fair election in his country, saying that Nigeria was committed to leading by example in the West African sub-region and Africa at large.

The renowned business mogul was honoured in the Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Corporate Champions category in recognition of the indelible mark he has left in the nation’s telecommunications industry with his company, Globacom.

In a brief citation before calling on Dr. Adenuga to receive the award, the Thisday Publisher and Chairman, Editorial Board, Chief Nduka Obaigbena said the extraordinaire businessman had built Globacom into Nigeria’s first truly international company.

The immediate past President of Ghana, Mr. John Kuffour, presented the award to Dr. Adenuga through Globacom’s Head of Public Relations, Bode Opeseitan.

Thisday had in an earlier publication on the award, explained that Dr. Adenuga truly merited the honour because of his vision, foresight and entrepreneurial skills, which built Globacom into a remarkable entity that operates in several countries including Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and employing thousands of people worldwide.

“In a period of just over six years, Adenuga’s Glo has connected an estimated 25 million subscribers and is reputed to be one of the fastest growing multinational carriers in the world”, the newspaper said.

Other considerations mentioned include Glo’s uniqueness as the first indigenously owned telecommunication company, its introduction of per second billing when others considered this impossible; and its historic landing of Glo 1 submarine cable which connects Europe and the US to Nigeria and other African countries. The cable has the capacity to decrease telephony costs and provide excess bandwidth to all countries that are connected to it.

Other awards with which Adenuga has been honoured recently include the Siverbird Man of the Year, the Daily Independent Man of the Year and the Compass Man of the Year Awards. He was also recognised by City People and Ovation International magazine as the Most Outstanding Personality of the Year 2009.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State this morning launched 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) which were donated to the Nigeria Police by local governments in the state.

At the commissioning this morning, Fashola reiterated the state’s commitment to continue to fight crime in the state, saying that the APCs were provided by the councils.

The governor stated that the APCs will be handed over to the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) and will be deployed to eight area commands of the police while the RRS will retain two.

Fashola commended the police for doing a good job in crime fighting but warned that they should not use their uniforms to oppress tax payers who contributed the money to purchase the APCs.

Chairman, Security Trust Fund (STF), Mr. Remi Makanjuola, said the STF was put in place to ensure adequate security in the state.

Executive Secretary, STF, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, described the APCs as unprecedented in the history of  security in Lagos State, adding that on assumption of office Fashola had made a promise to tackle crimes in the state.

According to him, the establishment of the STF was the first step in fulfilling the promise made by the governor and since it was established, the institution has remarkably helped in  the fight against crime.

He called on the private sector to continue to donate to the STF to beef up security so that unscrupulous people would know that Lagos is not a place to perpetrate crimes.

Notice of consequences of disobedience to order of a Federal High Court has been filed against the Chief of Army Staff, General Abdulrahman Dambazzau and Nigerian Army that unless he obeys the order contained in the judgement dated 24 June, 2009 by Hon. Justice CMA Olatoregun Ishola, he will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be arrested and committed to prison.

This notice came in the wake of a judgement obtained by a soldier of the Nigerian Army, Ali Isah, who claimed he was unjustly and summarily dismissed from the Nigerian army by Lt. Col. I.A. Okpachu on 28 Janaury, 2003.

He stated that he was dismissed on account of  the escape of Babagana Ciroma, while he was on duty at the guardroom with Innocent Gbaraje, the guardroom Commander on 24 November, 2004.

He was tried with the guardroom Commander but while he was dismissed the same day, the guardroom commander was only sentenced to 28 days.

He attributed the light punishment meted out to the guardroom commander to the fact that he is an Ijaw man like the Commanding Officer.

Isah also claimed that there was no boardroom of enquiries set up in respect of his case.

A letter of appeal written to the 81 Division through Lt. Col. Okpachu requesting the GOC to review his case received no response.

His lawyer also wrote the army headquarters but got no response.

Isah further stated that when Babagana Ciroma, who fled from the guardroom was rearrested, a new commanding officer set up a board of enquiry but nothing was done on his case.

He told the court that he was unemployed and carried the stigma of being referred to as a dismissed soldier.

Isah asked the court to order his reinstatement, order the payment of all arrears of his salary and restoration of the rank he would have been promoted to if he was not dismissed.

Lance Corporal Innocent Gbaraje testified on behalf of the defendant, the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.

He told the court that he is from Ijaw in Rivers State but Okpachu is from Benue State and an Ijaw man by tribe.

He further told the court that he appeared before the board of enquiry as a witness. He admitted that they were charged together.

He pleaded guilty and was punished while Isah was dismissed.

In his jdugement, Justice Ishola after appraising the submission of the two parties, said in considering section 115 and 116 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 of the law of the federation 2004, the dismissal of the plaintiff is not the right punishment.

He said it was a simple act of man’s inhumanity to his fellow human being.

“On the whole, I declare the purported dismissal of the plaintiff by the defendants, illegal, unjustified, null, void and of no effect.

“The plaintiff is to be reinstated to previous post he was before he was illegally dismissed and all his basic salaries and allowances paid forthwith.”

However, since the judgement was delivered 24 June, 2009, Isah has not been reinstated as ordered by the court.

Since it was launched last Tuesday, at least 1,861 applicants have visited the job creation website created by the Lagos state government.

The web portal website, www.jobcreation.lagosstate.gov.ng was created so that prospective job seekers can place their resumes for consideration by employers.

As at press time, the home page of the website states that 1,861 job seekers had visited it. Another 3,890 have been listed as all time visitors.

The website gives opportunities to applicants to search for prospective employers, apply for jobs, and build their resumes. Employers can also use the website pages to post jobs, search for applications and curriculum vitae of applicants.

The website has a list of featured employers which include OANDO, Julius Berger PLC, MTN, Guaranty Trust Bank and Cadbury Nigeria PLC.

The website is said to offer a variety of services such as email, news, stock price, information, data base and entertainment.

Nine job creation centres in Lagos are listed on the website. At the centres, Lagosians who cannot afford the cost of accessing internet services at cybercafés can make use of internet services free in order to apply for jobs.

At the launch of the website, Lagos Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tola Kasali whose ministry oversees the website, said ”the web portal is to link job seekers with prospective employers and to support entrepreneurial initiatives and vocational/occupational skill empowerment programme of the state government.”

Kasali appealed to applicants and employers of labour to make use of the portal as it will not cost them anything financially to do so.

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola who was represented by his deputy, Sarah Sosan at the launch, stated that the portal would foster an atmosphere conducive to employment possibilities.

“I strongly believe that when we create more jobs and provide more infrastructure, our people will be able to utilise their potentials to enhance their living conditions. Equally, criminal activities will be drastically reduced,” said Fashola.

Men of Alade Police Station, Shomolu, Lagos, have arrested three persons for  Indian hemp smoking, unlawful assembly and conspiracy to commit misdemeanour.

They are Ibrahim Adepoju, 23, Olakunle Olaleye, 33 and Sunday Afolabi, 20. They were arrested near the canal on Sodimu Street, a black spot.

A police source told P.M.NEWS that a large amount of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, also known as Marijuana was found on them.

They were arraigned before the Shomolu Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of unlawful assembly, an offence punishable under sections 516 and 70 of the Criminal Code, Cap.17, Vol. 6, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Count two of the charge reads: ‘‘That you, Ibrahim Adepoju, Olakunle Olaleye, Sunday Afolabi and others now at large on 19 February, 2010, between 8.40 p.m. and 8.45 p.m. in the Lagos magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in a manner as to cause people in the neighbourhood to fear with your Indian hemp smoking and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 69 and punishable under Section 70 of the Criminal Code, Cap.17, Vol. 6, Laws of Lagos State. They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each and two sureties each in like sum by Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi.

The magistrate also ordered that the addresses of the sureties must be verified and they must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

The accused were later moved to Ikoyi Prisons because they could not perfect their bail before the close of the court.

The case has been adjourned till 7 April, 2010, for trial.